As you most likely know, several states received significant damage from the storm which pounded the Southeast on September 11th. Our recovery team at Home Asset Protection Services, LLC or HapsAtlanta.com has been working hard to assist homeowners who received damage to their homes from the storm.

We’ve been removing trees from roofs, tarping roofs, assisting homeowners with filing claims, and repairing roofs for homeowners who have minor damage.

Due to the large area of damage, we are trying to concentrate in the Gwinnett, North Fulton, and Hall County areas to free up as much time as possible to help homeowners with urgent need to get their homes repaired.

If you need to file a claim, file it now! There is a shortage of adjusters due to the damage in Houston and Florida coast. We’re seeing adjuster response times moved out from 24-48 hrs to 5 days, and that’s just for setting the appointment.

If you hav

As a local roofer, we’re focused on our local homeowners, and we will be around years from now when all the storm chasers are gone. Call us at 404-933-6610 is you need help.

With the approach of Hurricane Irma, we expect a rise in roofing claims due to wind damage from the storms. Unfortunately, we also expect an increase in out of state storm chasers coming into town to sell homeowners on filing claims.

At Home Asset Protection Services, LLC, or HAPS, we have been helping homeowners with roof replacement, roofing claims, and roof repairs for several years. We are local to the Atlanta area, and we focus on the Northeast side of town including the cities of Alpharetta, Buford, Collins Hill, Cumming, Dacula, Duluth, Flowery Branch, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Peachtree Ridge District, Sugar Hill, and Suwanee.

Filing the claim is the easy part. Understanding the claim paperwork (adjuster summary), missed items in insurance adjuster summary, filing for recoverable depreciation, filing supplemental claims for proper compensation….and most importantly….getting the work done efficiently and properly…are areas where you need help. Call us at 404-933-6610 to discuss your roof issues, and we can repair your roof or help you with the entire claims process from start to finish. If you have leaks, they need to be repaired, and they’re not always storm related. If you experience wind damage, the leaks may not surface immediately, so take a look at your roof after the storm to see if you have any missing or creased shingles. Don’t climb on the roof. It’s not safe unless you’ve got experience and the right equipment to safely navigate the area.

Based on our experience, using a local roofing contractor is paramount following a storm with high winds, hurricanes such as Irma, or hail storms (usually in the spring). Also, using a roofing company who specializes in leak repairs is an integral part of choosing the right roofing contractor. If you use an out of state contractor, who are you going to call if you have a problem? If a company doesn’t specialize in repairs, how do you know they are re-roofing your home properly.

Common issues we see with improperly built roofs include…

Improper flashing at walls and chimneys,

No chimney pan or cricket on back side of chimney.

No flashing replacement due to need to pull back siding to replace.

Re using old turtle vents.

Improper pipe boot installation.

No ice & water shield in areas prone to leaks

Improper roof ventilation.

Not filing permits in cities which require permits.

and the list goes on and on. When a roof is built…it’s supposed to last. It only takes a pinhole to leak.

As for filing claims, insurance companies assessment of damage varies depending on company. Most insurance companies “approve” claims based on a determined amount of damaged shingles on each slope of the house. In other words, if you have wind damaged shingles on the front of your home and none on the back of your home…you will most likely only qualify for a partial roof replacement.

Another factor is the condition of your shingles. If shingles are brittle, it’s impossible to change a shingle without the shingle above it cracking. This is the main reason roof claims are approved for wind damaged shingles. Generally, with a “new” roof (less than 7 years), the shingles will most likely “pass” the brittle test.

Understand, approval of a roof claim is a subjective opinion based on the insurance adjuster/company. Some companies are more generous in their assessment while others are very difficult to deal with. Call us at 404-933-6610 to discuss our opinions.

Finally, understanding supplemental claims and depreciation are a complex part of the process. If you handle the claim and hiring of a contractor on your own, you may get shortchanged…or even taken advantage of. Use a local company with a proven track record of honesty and quality work.

We hope you’ll consider Home Asset Protection Services (HAPS) if you have issues on your roof. We can repair or replace your roof, and we do it right the first time. Call us at 404-933-6610 today if you are having issues with your roof; and if Hurricane Irma hits the Atlanta area, we pray for the safety of all.

Home Asset Protection Services, or HAPSatlanta is a full service residential roofing contractor located in Suwanee, GA. We can be reached at 404-933-6610 to arrange for an assessment of your roof. We specialize in roof leak repairs, and this is approximately 75% of our roofing business. We also perform full roof replacements the right way, but we are not storm chasers. We are a local, reputable company with a great track record.

Our roof repair specialist Richard has over 25 years of leak repair experience, so he has just about seen it all. A large percentage of roof leaks are a result of lack of maintenance, and these leaks can be avoided before they happen to prevent you from dealing with wet drywall and insulation, damaged soffit and fascia, and mold.

We offer a roof tuneup package which we recommend for EVERY home every 3-5 years, depending on the age of the roof. Most homeowners don’t realize that a roof needs a tuneup just like a car needs a tuneup.

Here’s why.

Your shingles are designed to last between 20-40 years depending on the type. Basic 3 tab shingles generally carry a 20-25 year shingle warrant, and architectural shingles generally carry a lifetime warranty (40 yrs); but these warranties don’t cover the other elements on the roof.

If you already have a leak in the following areas, it’s likely that a roof tuneup would solve your problems. Bathrooms, Top of ceilings, Near HVAC vent, or most other areas other than chimneys, valleys, or areas where the roof runs into a wall.

Here are the items which “fail” after a few years, and you can see pictures at the bottom of this post.

Pipe Boots – You will have several of these on your roof. They are generally white pvc pipes which are designed to ventilate your drain pipes to eliminate bad smells. These pipes are covered by a plastic or lead “boot, and the inside part of the boot is rubber. This is designed to fit snugly around the pipe to prevent water intrusion in the hole in your roof. After a few years, the rubber seal dry rots and cracks. As a result, this is a common area for leaks.

HVAC Vents – The metal HVAC vent which comes out of your roof is sealed with roofing sealant, and hopefully the best brand on the market. After several years, the sealant wears out and cracks…creating an area for water to get into your home.

Turtle Vents – These metal or plastic “boxes” near the ridge (top) of your roof are installed to help ventilate your attic to remove heat and prevent shingles from overheating and blistering. Two issues we see with turtle vents are 1. Improper installation, and 2. Worn out sealant. Once again, the sealant cracks and creates and area for water intrustion.

Exposed nails – There are several areas where exposed nails can be found on your roof. On the ridge, around the vents, below shingle lines from mis nailing, and nail pops. When sealant wears off, the nails rust and create small areas for leaks to occur. It only takes a pin hole for water to get in.

Nail Pops – Quite often nails loossen over time, as they raise up, they poke a hole in the shingles…and this creates another area for water intrusion.

Missing or damaged shingles – While this goes without saying, missing shingles allow water to get under the shingles and travel down the roof until it finds a place to get in your attic…generally where plywood seams meet. Cracked shingles also allow water intrusion, and we often find cracked shingles on the ridge of the roof.

Toe Board Holes – Toe board holes are created when roofers, painters, etc nail 2×4’s to your roof so they can have good footing during the installation or repair. While our crews don’t use toe boards (We harness in from ridge), many doe. The nail holes in the shingles must be sealed after toe boards are removed. In many cases, this isn’t done, or if sealed..just like other elements…the sealant wears off an water intrusion occurs. Toe board holes are often a cause of leaks on interior walls near outside of home and soffit or fascia leaks.

Clogged Gutters – Homeowners generally know, clogged or improperly installed gutters are a major cause of damage to soffit, fascia, and exterior walls. While not a part of the tuneup, our technicians can clean gutters; and we can replace your gutters when needed as a separate service.

ALMOST ALL OF THESE LEAKS CAN BE REPAIRED OR PREVENTED BY A ROOF TUNEUP.

Here’s what HAPS does with a roof tuneup.

Inspect roof for areas of concern.

2. Replace up to 10 damaged or missing shingles.

Install new rain collars on all pipe boots, and reseal.

Seal exhaust vents with premium roof sealant.

Paint all vents with rust preventive paint.

Seal turtle vents with premium roof sealant.

Repair nail pops.

Seal exposed nails on all areas of roof.

Seal toeboard holes with premium roof sealant. (Note) if holes are large, we will replace the shingles.

Cleanup and removal of debris.

As you can see, a roof tuneup will address all of the common areas for roof failure which should be performed every 3-5 years. HAPS services Gwinnett County, Georgia and surrounding areas including Alpharetta, Buford, Cumming, Doraville, Duluth, Dacula, Flowery Branch, Hamilton Mill, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Oakwood, Peachtree Corners, Sugar Hill, and Suwanee.

We also perform more extensive roof repairs and full roof replacements. Extensive roof repairs generally involve improper flashing installation, and these leaks often occur at chimneys, in valleys, transitions from main roof to lower roof or porches, flat roofs, and areas where roof meets walls. We also remove old satellite dishes or brackets and repair the hole from the brackets and screws, a very common leak area.

If you have a leak or would like to prevent a future leak, call Home Asset Protection Services, LLC (HAPS) at 404-933-6610 to discuss your needs. We are a highly rated company, and we will give you an honest and informative assessment with cost effective results. Understand, we only do our roof repairs the right way, so if you want a cheap repair such as spread roofing tar over the leak…call a different company. If you go that route, keep our number on file because you may be calling us in the near future when your leaks resurface.